CHURCH COMMUNITY NEWS:
1. What We're Doing This Month
Through October we are exploring Jesus' vision for the world and His challenge to live in the kingdom of God. On October 9 we begin our new discipleship series for all ages focused on the Sermon on the Mount called "Is There Another Way?" during which we will examine how living in the reality of Jesus' Kingdom impacts our daily lives. We will take a mid-series break for our Annual Harvest Festival on October 23.
2. Yes, My Kid
A support group for parents of children, or anyone whose loved one is caught in the grip of drug or alcohol abuse will begin meeting weekly on Tuesday, October 11, at 7PM at Cedar Ridge in room 202. Yes, My Kid uses a combination of faith-based principles and twelve steps to help young people and families heal from the effects of addiction. Contact Lisa L for more information.
3. Summers Farm Corn Maze - October 29
The middle school students will have the opportunity to go on an outing to Frederick, Maryland for a Saturday of fun and frolic at the Summers Farm Corn Maze and Camp Fire Weenie Roast. Students should be dropped off at the Cedar Ridge barn by 3PM on Saturday, October 29, and picked up at Cedar Ridge at 11PM. They will enjoy activities that include a corn maze, pig races, pedal cart preakness, apple cannon, jumping pillow, straw mountain and farm tunnels. The cost is $15 per student. Each student should bring a flashlight, warm clothes and extra money for the apple cannon. To get more information and to RSVP contact Lisa Dyer by October 16.
4. Looking Forward to Advent
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Buy your Christmas Tree and Help Guatemala
This Christmas buy your Christmas tree at Cedar Ridge and all proceeds will go towards the purchase of educational supplies for schools in Ipala, Guatemala. These high quality trees can be ordered in the commons on Sundays, October 16, 23 and 30 and pickup will be at Cedar Ridge on Sunday, December 4.
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Sing in the Cedar Ridge Choir this Christmas
We are calling for volunteers to join in with the Music Team this year as members of Cedar Ridge's developmental choir. We plan to have three rehearsals (December 1, 8 and 15) and sing December 18 and 24 (two services each day). All are welcome to join in! This is a great opportunity to do something with your children, family and other Cedar Ridgers and get into the Christmas Spirit. In addition, this Christmas group will continue to meet after the holidays - for those interested - as a developing addition to Cedar Ridge's Music team. For more information or to simply sign up, please contact Tommy Tavenner or Alfia Robinson.
GETTING CONNECTED: OPPORTUNITIES TO LIVE, LEARN, AND GROW WITH CEDAR RIDGE
5. Prayer Practice
During the months of October and November, Prayer Practice (usually the third Thursday of the month) will not be meeting on Thursdays but expanded into workshops to accompany the fall discipleship series. These will happen on two Monday evenings. We will resume third Thursday Prayer Practice in December on December 15.
6. Fall 2011 Discipleship Series: Is There Another Way? Experiencing the Kingdom of God in Everyday Life
On October 9 we will begin our Fall Discipleship Series in which we will explore themes from Jesus' teaching known as "The Sermon on the Mount". This passage of just three chapters from the gospel of Matthew, is packed with profound wisdom for living like Jesus and deals with the everyday practical issues with which we all struggle: anger, anxiety, loving people we find difficult, lust (to name a few!). Throughout the series we will seek to grow in the internal freedom and wholeness that Jesus offers as we practice letting go of the way of human fear and attachment while releasing ourselves more into the abundant love of God. Our whole community will join together for the six week series as children, youth and adults explore similar themes on Sundays beginning October 9 through November 20.
Material for Discipleship Groups will be available to pickup in the commons after the 9 and 11AM services, or download from the website.
7. Is There Another Way? Supporting Workshops
In light of the issues raised through the series, two workshops will take place covering important themes around our daily lives. Workshops will include a presentation about the theme, group dialogue, Q&A, pastoral, lay and professional resources for personal struggles. Ministers trained in specialized healing prayer and "spiritual listening" will be present, as well as pastors, coaches and mental health professionals. The themes, dates and locations for these workshops are:
- Expectations, Anger and Forgiveness - Monday, October 24, 7-9PM in the barn
- Anxiety and Materialism - Monday, November 28, from 7-9PM in the barn
GETTING INVOLVED: MEETING NEEDS IN OUR CHURCH, COMMUNITY, AND WORLD
8. New Nursery and Preschool Team Members Needed
If you would like to join our preschoolers at 9 or 11AM, or our infants and/or toddlers at 11AM, they would love to see you! Serving as a helper once or twice a month would be a big help. If you prefer older kids, we also have periodic openings with our elementary groups. Please contact Bryan Peterson for more information.
9. Join a Discipleship Group
With the Fall Discipleship Series coming up, now is a great time to join a Discipleship Group. As well as having companions with whom you can work through this discipleship series, Discipleship Groups are an important part of how we live out our vision to follow Jesus. By gathering in small communities near where we live, we can support and care for each other, help one another grow spiritually and reach out to serve others together. It is our belief that we all need this kind of support and companionship and a closer connection to others than is possible in larger groups alone.
So if you do not yet belong to a group, please sign up at the Discipleship Groups table in the commons during October, and we will help you find one. For more information contact Laura Moffitt or you can sign up for the discipleship groups and the workshops in October and November on the same web page.
10. Harvest Festival and Potluck: October 23
Come celebrate God's abundant goodness with the whole community on Sunday, October 23! We'll look back with gratitude for all the blessings we have received and look to the future with hope for being a blessing to others. We will have one all ages together service at 10AM (Wiggle Room will be available in Room 202), and an all community picnic celebration will follow the service with activities and games for all ages. Please bring a dish to share; lunch will be outside weather permitting.
11. Cedar Ridge Farm
Much of our summer harvest is done, but there is still plenty to do and lots of life flourishing out on the farm. Please come out and join us, we plan for a strong finish in October preparing the land for winter. You can check the Calendar tab to find nights that our leaders are on the farm (usually Monday - Thursday nights and some Satuday mornings) to help you, or you can come on out, check the task list in the shed and have a good time.
12. Help Clothe the Needy this Winter
We are partnering with the Town of Riverdale Park and the Christian Life Center of Riverdale to collect new and lightly used, clean coats for persons in need of them. Distribution to new immigrants (many from Guatemala) and needy residents of Riverdale and the surrounding area takes place at Thanksgiving, and we ask that you search your closets and attics for unneeded coats to share with those who will otherwise face the winter without a coat. While we usually think of women and children first, the greatest need usually is for men's coats, followed by children and then women. We will be collecting them at Cedar Ridge on Sundays, November 6, 13 and 20. Please direct any questions to Vernon Archer.
13. Property Workdays
Every other Saturday (October 8, 22 and November 5) from 8AM-noon. Contact Mark Hartley to join us.
POSTSCRIPT
Contact Information
Cedar Ridge Community Church
2410 Spencerville Road, Spencerville, MD 20868
Phone: 301-384-7444